WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Business Entry Point
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
In December 1997, the Government agreed to fund the development of a whole of government Business Entry Point (BEP), one of the measures announced in More Time for Business.  The BEP will provide a simple-to-use two-way channel for information and transactions between business and government in all jurisdictions.
Funding will cover the development of the BEP Phase I by 1 July 1998, the implementation strategy for the longer term fully featured BEP and the accelerated resolution of legal issues impacting on electronic service delivery.  Further research on the costs and benefits of introducing a unique business identifier will also be undertaken.
Further Information
The BEP will be implemented in phases.  BEP Phase I will include the revamped Business Information Service in AusIndustry, and the single process for the initial registration requirements of the four Treasury agencies (Australian Taxation Office, Australian Securities Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Insurance and Superannuation Commission).
It will provide business with seamless access to Commonwealth, State and Territory government information and services.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Office of the Employment Advocate - Advertising Campaign
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
The advertising campaign has been planned to raise awareness amongst employers and employees of the role of the Office of the Employment Advocate and of Australian workplace agreements and the freedom of association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996.  It is envisaged this campaign will encompass both electronic and print media. 

WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Maritime Restructuring Facilitation Scheme
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Funds of $2.75 million in 1997-98 have been provided to the Maritime Industry Finance Company Ltd (MIFCo) from the Advance to the Minister for Finance to enable the company to cover its establishment and operating costs.  The MIFCo is a wholly-owned Commonwealth company that has been established as part of the administrative mechanism to ensure that funds are available for payment to employees who become redundant as a consequence of reform and restructuring in the maritime (stevedoring and shipping) industry.  These funds will be repaid in later years to the extent any drawdown occurs.
WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND SMALL BUSINESS
Payments in connection with redundancies relating to the Maritime Restructuring Facilitation Scheme 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
The Maritime Industry Finance Company Ltd (MIFCo) has been established as part of the arrangements to meet the Government's commitments to ensuring the availability of payments, subject to conditions, to employees in the maritime (stevedoring and shipping) industry who become redundant as part of an industry reform and restructuring process.  It is intended that MIFCo funds such payments through a loan facility.  The proposed appropriation contained in the Stevedoring Levy (Collection) Bill currently before the Parliament will authorise funds to be provided to MIFCo to meet its obligations to repay any loans it enters into.
This measure is offset by provisions for a levy on the stevedoring industry.  See the related revenue measure titled Stevedoring levy.